Teeth can endure quite a lot of punishment. After all, they are harder than bones. Unfortunately, unlike bones, which have their own blood supply and can therefore heal, teeth cannot repair themselves once broken or cracked. The most difficult type of crack to repair is a vertical crack, one that extends towards the root of a tooth.
If you crack a tooth vertically, you need to book an emergency dental appointment. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will become.
Repair Could Be Possible
Until an emergency dentist looks at your tooth, you won't know the extent of the damage. Moreover, the longer you leave the tooth without the intervention of a dentist, the less likely it is that a dentist can save it. If the crack extends to just above the pulpal chamber, where the nerve resides, a dentist can use a special type of filling to seal the tooth and protect the nerve.
However, even if the pulpal chamber has not been affected, bacteria will now have access to that chamber via the tiny tubules in the dentin layer of the tooth. That is why swift action is necessary. If the pulp becomes infected, the tooth will require a root canal as well as repair.
Deep Cracks Are Difficult to Repair
If you leave a vertically cracked tooth too long without repairing it, the crack may eventually worsen until the tooth splits into two separate pieces. In this case, if the crack extends down into the root, extraction might be the only option available to you. This kind of crack is difficult to repair since a vertical filling is likely to break quite quickly.
Deep, vertical cracks allow bacteria to enter the tooth and attack the tooth and the surrounding bone. As a result, extraction may be the safest option in the long term. To replace the tooth, you could opt for a dental implant. However, dental implants can be costly. To save money, you could replace the tooth with a partial denture or a dental bridge.
Small Vertical Cracks Do Not Require Extraction
Vertical cracks on the edge of a tooth can be repaired with a dental crown. Your dentist will remove the broken piece of tooth and then protect the remaining tooth structure by placing a porcelain crown over it. Porcelain crowns can last for at least 10 years; however, you do need to floss around them to prevent bacteria from building up where the crown meets the tooth.
A vertical crack is a dental emergency. Waiting too long may lead to infection and the need for extraction.
Share12 April 2018
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
